Montgomery County Solicitor to Appeal Order Halting Gay Marriage Licenses in Pennsylvania

Montgomery County Register of Wills Bruce Hanes plans to appeal the September 12 ruling by Judge Dante Pellegrini ordering a halt to the issuance of marriage licenses to gay couples, Philly.com reports:

County Solicitor Ray McGarry will file an appeal on behalf of Hanes, who prior to the ruling in Commonwealth Court last Thursday had issued 174 licenses during a six-week period. Hanes began isssuing licenses to same-sex couples July 24.

"McGarry said the appeal would be filed in the next several days. He will make no further comment until the appeal is filed," the county said in the statement. Hanes hinted last week that he would seek to appeal the ruling that went as a victory to Gov. Tom Corbett's administration, which filed a lawsuit seeking to stop Hanes Aug. 1.

Said Hanes of Pelligrini's ruling last week: "I am obviously disappointed by the Court's decision today. Several weeks ago when I made the decision to begin issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples, I said I believed I was coming down on the right side of history. After having issued 174 marriage licenses since then and having talked with many of those couples, I am more convinced today that I am on the right side of history."